Baseball history unpacked, November 8

... on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue brings a you a lighthearted Cubs-centric look at baseball’s past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along as we review select scenes from the rich tapestry of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history.

Today in baseball history:

• 1934 - Ford Frick, National League publicity director, is named league president. He will eventually become Commissioner. (2,3)
• 1966 - Triple Crown winner Frank Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles is the unanimous choice as American League MVP. He becomes the first major league player to win the award in both leagues. (3)
• 1989 - Chicago Cubs outfielder Jerome Walton wins the 1989 National League Rookie of the Year Award, collecting 22 of 24 first-place votes to defeat teammate Dwight Smith. They are the first NL’ers to finish 1-2 in the voting since Philadelphia Phillies rookies Jack Sanford and Ed Bouchee in 1957. Walton also becomes the first Cubs player to win rookie honors since Billy Williams, in 1961. (2,3)
• 1998 - Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa is named the National League MVP. Sosa hit 66 home runs and led the National League in RBI with 158 while carrying his team to the playoffs. (3)
• 2005 - Infielder Neifi Perez and the Chicago Cubs agree to a $5 million, two-year contract. Perez, who became a free agent in October, hit .274 with nine home runs and 54 RBI last season. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Dwight Smith, Jeff Blauser, Henry Rodriguez, Darwin Barney. Also notable: Bucky Harris (HoF)

Sources:

• (1) — The National Pastime.
• (2) — Today in Baseball History.
• (3) — Baseball Reference.
• (4) — Society for American Baseball Research.
• (5) — Baseball Hall of Fame.
• (6) — This Day in Chicago Cubs history.

Thanks for reading.